Physics final exam question: downwards-kicked soccer balls

A Physics 205A student kicks a soccer ball horizontally with a certain speed off the edge of a cliff, and observes it landing on the ground below at a distance of 20 m from the edge. If the student kicks the soccer ball off the edge of this cliff with the same speed, but at angle of 45° below the horizontal, discuss why it will land on the ground below at a distance shorter than 20 m. Explain your reasoning using the properties of projectile motion.

and it has a shorter elapsed time Δt to travel before it hits the
ground.

r:
Nearly correct, but includes minor math errors. One of the two points (1)-(2) correct, other is problematic/incomplete.

t:
Nearly correct, but approach has conceptual errors, and/or major/compounded math errors. Only one of the two points (1)-(2) correct, other is missing, or both are
problematic.

v:
Implementation of right ideas, but in an inconsistent, incomplete, or unorganized manner. Some garbled attempt at
finding velocity components, and applying kinematic equations of constant (zero)
acceleration.

x:
Implementation of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.

y:
Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank. This may include restating
what must be proved.